ReaLNG:

Turning LNG as marine fuel into reality in the North Sea-Baltic region

The project is aimed at the adoption of LNG as marine fuel by building a bunker vessel that is an innovation in the LNG bunker market, by making port investments to facilitate LNG bunkering, and by educating people by developing training courses and pilots in the field of LNG operations.

The ReaLNG project is a showcase on LNG uptake in the North Sea-Baltic, contributing to lower GHG and local emissions in Europe, and complying with regulatory requirements as part of the involved partners´ global initiatives. The project will:

Deploy the innovative LNG bunker vessel and put it into operation

Offer Ship-to-Ship Bunkering in the biggest European port on an open access market principle

Deploy LNG bunkering solutions together with safety measures

Deploy the first four LNG fuelled container vessels and two chemical tankers

Provide training materials and courses to ensure safe LNG operations on vessels and in ports

The project started on 1 January 2014 and the completion date is 30 June 2017.

Reducing air pollution caused by maritime transport is an important topic on the global environmental agenda. The move towards cleaner fuels is not only a global trend; it is a significant part of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) long term objective to reduce the environmental impact of shipping. Regulation places limits on the main air pollutants originating from ships’ exhaust gases and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances. Limitations are also placed on the levels of sulphur content which is allowed in ship fuel for ships operating in Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs). The European SECAs currently cover the Baltic Sea, North Sea and English Channel.

As a result, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is an increasingly appealing solution as marine fuel to comply with emission regulations. LNG allows for the improving of air quality in coastal areas and sensitive ecosystems, and can also reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. LNG therefore offers advantages to both the environment and human health.

The ReaLNG project is a showcase on LNG uptake in the North Sea-Baltic, contributing to lower GHG and local emissions in Europe, and complying with regulatory requirements as part of the involved partners´ global initiatives.

From The Netherlands and Germany, the ReaLNG consortium comprises:

Shell Downstream LNG

Stichting STC-Group

Havenbedrijf Rotterdam N.V., Port of Rotterdam

Hansestadt Lübeck, Lübeck Port Authority

ReaLNG is co-financed by the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility.